Energetic Disassembly

Watchtower was probably rightly credited as being the first progressive metal band – at least in the sense that the term is applied today. While Rush is likely the greatest prog rock band ever, Dream Theater somehow managed to capture that honor within the metal realm. However, metal purists will point out that Watchtower came before Dream Theater. Heralding from Austin, TX, this four-piece certainly captured a lot of attention back in 1985 when this album was originally released – the underground metal scene really praised these guys as innovators. Regardless, they were definitely playing a style of metal unique to themselves, a style with jazz/fusion elements, Rush elements and then traditional metal shred as well. Lyrically, it is fascinating to go back and read this stuff as not many metal bands in the mid to late 80’s had a political opinion or even a social awareness. While vocalist Jason McMaster was eventually replaced by Alan Tecchio, his high pitched, screaming vocal style – at times sounding like Geddy Lee, Bruce Dickenson and Rob Halford – was quite polarizing, yet it nevertheless left an indelible mark on the metal community. Doug Keyser and drummer Rick Colaluca formed the core of the band – their complex rhythms and syncopation played a huge part in defining the Watchtower sound. Rockadrome reissued this in 2008, but the original raw production has been preserved, giving this classic an almost live feel. This is vintage metal, and even those that don’t enjoy McMaster’s abrasive vocals (considered melodic by today’s standards) will find something to love about this band.

I absolutely love this album. Watchtower is like Rush on acid. They have taken all of the best aspects of progressive rock and heavy metal and pushed them to the extreme--insane, high vocals; awesome riffs; incredible musicianship; complex and challenging lyrical content; superb shredding; and all the crazy time changes. Any fan of progressive rock, 80's metal, and/or thrash will immediately connect with their style. If there is one component missing, one might say it's melody. "Sounds rather glaring!" you say. However, the album is so good in every other respect that it really almost doesnt matter. IT'S THAT GOOD. The production is a little weird and very low-budget sounding, but that factor actually gives the album a certain charm--or rather a rawness and power that fit perfectly with the music. I also love their second and (so far) last album, Control and Resistance. It's certainly more polished, no doubt in part to the addition of Ron Jarzombek and Alan Tecchio. But Energetic Disassembly has an almost magical quality about it. Aggressive and absorbing, it keeps your attention all the way through to the end.Despite their limited catalogue, Watchtower may simply be the coolest band of all time. Perhaps their limited output has helped them in this regard. Other bands may have been more successful and more prolific, but there are no weak efforts that dampen what they have released--just two superb, nearly flawless albums and progressive metal at its very finest.

I was not even 17 when I heard them and this album from a heavy metal fanzine, so I decided to contact them and get a copy of the vinyl LP version. I was totally amazed: the rhythm and timing of each song was fast as those of many Thrash Metal bands while being absolutely not repetitive, resembling the complex music texture of Jazz. Despite the fact that the production is not extremely good, the album shows completely the band musical potential: a profusion of bass, drums and guitar solos and riffs, a intriguing songwriting and non trivial lyrics. The music in this album made some reviewers coining the terms "Techno-metal" and "Jazz-metal", thus this album started this genre of heavy metal.

These guys started whole genres of music with this album: technical thrash and technical death metal -it's a trip you gotta take if you like your metal with brains and talent!! If not, go back to Metallica or Motley Crue

Amazing!!

To be fair, I'm not a fan of prog rock or highly technical "math" rock. Bands like early Rush, Dream Theatre & Atheist have never really been my thing. In fact, the only reason I picked up a couple of Watchtower cd's was because I'm a Jason McMaster (D. Toys & Broken Teeth) fan.And this recording was a shock. No more cock rock. No more balls-to-the-walls AC/DC style bar rock. More like Rob Halford or Bruce Dickinson fronting Drem Theatre. The fact that McMaster & Co. were only in their teens or maybe early-twenties is even more amazing. Even not being much of a fan of this type of music does not detour me from being able to listen without prejudice and admiring the incredibly technical musicianship offered up on this album. Fans of McMaster will want to pick this up as a history lesson, while true prog/technical/math rock fans will have to have it. Because that genre, before there was a genre, started with Watchtower, deep in the heart of Central Texas.

I'm completely satisfied and impressed. Usually, when I order a product online I expect something to go wrong; either missing or damage goods or it would take forever for me to received my order. But here, I received my item in four days and in perfect condition. I was stoked

OK, so I have this on vinyl. I bought it in 1986 and listened to it to no end. These days I only spin once a year or so, but the CD will have its day and my wife will run in terror.THis is by far one of the most important "techno-prog-metal" albums ever released. I found it to be far too thin in production and tone, but hey, it was the eighties, the advent of MIDI and the day of ultra-thin guitar tones. Perhaps the mastering on this CD will provide me with some unexpected surprises in that regard. I was very let down when the vocalist left for Dangerous Toyz. Did they spell that with a "z"?Listening to this CD will give you a bridge, if you will, from classic 70's prog rock to the prog-techno-metal of today. WatchTower was way ahead of the game.

One of the best technical thrash albums, was looking to buy it for a long time, very hard to get.Not only one of the best but also one of the pioneers of that style, not memorable at first, need few spins to get use to it.8 tracks in 37 minutes, all killers no fillers, not too long, nor too short, might listen to it in loop.Whoever like prog rock, prog metal, thrash metal will love this album, bands like Rush, Toxik, Realm.This is a must have and also the follwer 'Control & Resistance', too bad the band has released only two studio albums,although that what makes them both unique.It is very rare and hard to get, so when you have the chance, get it at any cost!

Awesome presentation, amazing music

Great record. The vinyl production is great, sound is quality, and of course.... it's Watchtower! You can't go wrong! Make sure to buy Control and Resistance as well. Another great Watchtower album.

彼らの１ｓｔアルバムだ。日本では２ｎｄが国内発売されたのでそっちの方しか聴いたことがないという人が多いだろう。２ｎｄに比べると変態的な変拍子の嵐も控えめに思えるし、どちらかというとギター主体のアメリカンパワーメタル系の音に近い。といっても弾きまくるギターソロや、横から突然チャカポコとおかずが入ったりするドラムはこの頃から存在。ジャズメタルと称されることも多い彼らのサウンドだが、めまぐるしくかわるリズムに好みが分かれると思う。Voも２ｎｄとは違う人だが、あんまり変わらないから気にする必要はない。プロダクションはもちろん良くないが、メガデスのような複雑なスラッシュメタルや、ドリームシアターのようなプログレメタルが好きな人は、とりあえず聴いてみたら良いんじゃない？という感じの一枚。